Oxnard rejects Fisherman’s Wharf residential plan
November 14, 2019
Revitalization project on Channel Islands Harbor could restrict harbor access, council members argued.
OXNARD—A plan to revitalize the Channel Island Harbor waterfront took a huge hit on Nov. 7. Oxnard’s City Council, in a 6-1 vote, rejected a massive residential plan central to the Fisherman’s Village redevelopment project.
Access to the water and parking were two of the biggest concerns, but the Channel Islands Harbor redevelopment has also been caught in the crosshairs of a power struggle between the city of Oxnard and Ventura County. Oxnard City Hall maintains any new development at Channel Islands Harbor should be consistent with its own policies. Ventura County, on the other side, has maintained Oxnard does not have the sole authority to dictate the future of Channel Islands Harbor.
The Fisherman’s Wharf redevelopment project proposes to bring 400 residential units, commercial and retail tenants, an urchin dock and nearly 1,000 parking spaces to Channel Islands Harbor.
Both Oxnard and Ventura County have sought to revitalize the dilapidated Channel Islands Harbor and Fisherman’s Wharf area since the mid-2000s, but the Great Recession of 2008 and a political stalemate since then have delayed the project from coming online.
There will likely be an appeal to the California Coastal Commission if Oxnard and Ventura County aren’t able to resolve their differences.
A more in-depth report on Oxnard City Council’s decision will be in the next issue of The Log.
Stalemate….. why Polly doesn’t want a cracker
The Oxnard Channel Islands Harbor does not need more housing. The Oxnard City Council needs to improve Roads and other much needed infrastructures. Hey City Council and City Management, please do an inventory of already available Housing and Quality Living for Oxnard Residents. Please!